In 2016, I found myself sitting in a small room with a window and cream-colored walls. To my right, there was a curious wooden plaque on the wall, with something on it that looked like a taxidermied duck. All of a sudden, the duck head fell off and rolled right into my lap. My eyes widened in horror — then, I bolted up, awake. It was a dream, but it all felt so real and ominous. What ensued soon after was a medical nightmare — I experienced a miscarriage, followed by a hospitalization that stretched nearly a month and included two surgeries.

Recently, I was reminded of this time as I read the story in Mark 2 of the paralyzed man, carried by four men who had faith that Jesus would heal him. When they couldn’t reach Him through the crowds, the men made a hole through the roof and lowered the paralytic directly to Jesus.

A week after my miscarriage and first surgery, I was back in the hospital because I couldn’t keep food down. Turns out I had a bowel obstruction. My surgeon hoped to avoid operating again so soon, which meant inserting a nasogastric tube through my nose to empty my stomach. It was as awful as it sounds. The tube rubbed my throat raw. I gagged when I tried to talk. It was painful to swallow. My throat was parched, but I couldn’t drink or eat anything except ice chips. Eventually, a PICC line was inserted in my right arm to deliver nutrients intravenously. Tied up in tubes and attached to machines, I couldn’t move or rest well. What we hoped would be days turned into weeks, with no improvement.

I was utterly exhausted and miserable. I remember thinking I should pray for healing, but I was unable to muster more than whispers or groans of “Jesus” or “Jesus, help.”

In that place of weakness, Romans 8:26 became real to me: “The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Even when I couldn’t form prayers, the Spirit was praying for me. And so were others — friends, family, our small group, pastors, elders, and church members carried us in prayer. They helped my husband Paul look after our 4-year old and brought them meals. Even a hospital roommate prayed with me before being discharged. I later learned that a JOY short-term missions team in India, along with over a hundred children at an orphanage, were also praying for me.

I was deeply humbled that so many, even people I’d never met, were praying for me … little me. I was being carried to Jesus — just like the paralyzed man — through the faith and prayers of others.

How did God answer all these prayers? That's a story for another time. But I can say this: He answered the prayer I would have prayed had I known what He knew. Through every day of that long ordeal, I experienced Immanuel — God with us — as Jesus carried me, often through the love and intercession of His people. I am so deeply grateful, even to this day, for every single person, every single prayer, and every single touch God sent my way.

I often recall that time as we gather for Intercessory Prayer (IP) every Wednesday at 11:30 AM in the “cry room” next to the sanctuary (and online). It seems fitting that we meet there — crying out to the Lord, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. Dear church, let me end with two invitations:

First, if you are in a season like the paralytic, struggling to pray and function, please know that you are not alone. Would you let us carry you to Jesus in prayer? It is our privilege and joy to intercede with and for you.

Second, could we, as JOY Church, be like the four friends who showed up and didn’t stop until they reached Jesus? Let’s be a community willing to “punch through rooftops” in faith for one another, bringing each other to the mighty One who truly saves us.

Intercession can happen anywhere — at IP, Early Morning Prayer on Zoom, Midweek Prayer at church, after Sunday service, in small groups, or even in the parking lot. It can be a text, a call, or a quiet moment shared between friends. Wherever and however we pray, may God continue to grow us to be a church that prays without ceasing — and may we deeply experience His great love, grace, and power as He hears and answers us.

- Janice

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You can reach the Intercessory Prayer team with your prayer requests or praise reports at JoyChurchIP@gmail.com.

Issue #5 - Carried to Jesus